Literacy Mid-South Annual Report

LITERACYmiD-South AnnuALREPORT 2013-2014

www.literacymidsouth.org

Leadership

2013

2014

Board of Directors 2013-2014 Whitney Harmon, Chair Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Claire Ryan, Vice Chair BCD Travel c/o FedEx Amanda Clarkson, Secretary University of Memphis Fred Towler, Treasurer International Paper

The Literacy Mid-South staff and the Children’s Museum of Memphis education dept. staff pose with books in hand!

Advisory Board 2013-2014

J. Patrick Blankinship, Jr. Methodist Healthcare/ University of Tennessee

Steve Berger brg3s architects

Ellen Prewitt Author

Suzanne Bonefas Rhodes College

Jamie Rugel Celtic Crossing

Nora Boone Freedom Prep Charter Schools

Mary Lou Brown Commercial Appeal

Courtney Miller Santo University of Memphis

Bryan Capooth Hilton Worldwide

Reuben Brunson RocketFuel

Teri Sullivan WKNO

Mark Conley University of Memphis

Judy Card First Regional Library System

Macon Wilson Booksellers at Laurelwood

Ashley Dacus Marx-Bensdorf Realtors

Carolyn S. Head Southwest Tennessee Community College

Barry Wolverton Baptist Memorial Hospital

Michael Dockery FedEx Alicia Howard Siemens, Inc. Kevin Kern Elvis Presley Enterprises

Pamela Kelly Law Offices of Pamela Kelly Austen Onek WREG News Channel 3

Rene Friemoth Lee Community Volunteer

John Wright UPS Nicole Yasinsky Booksellers at Laurelwood

Staff 2013-2014

Vicki Murrell University of Memphis

Kevin Dean Executive Director

Jeanne Williams Finance Manager

Anne Townsend Community Volunteer

Jeff Rhodin Partnership Development Manager

Stacy Early Training & Placement Coordinator

Bev Vitali Christian Brothers University

Heather Nordtvedt Community Relations Manager

Erica Roberts Adult Learning Coordinator

Donna Waggener Robert Half International

Vernetta Anderson Training Services Manager www.literacymidsouth.org

Adult learning program Adult Learning Program Mobile App

Adult Learning Program tutor training

Since our founding in 1974, the Adult Learning Program at Literacy Mid-South has served over 22,000 adults. The Adult Learning Program provides basic education and pre-GED preparation to adults reading at or below a sixth grade level. A dedicated team of trained volunteer tutors facilitate one-on-one tutoring and small group sessions to help low-literate adults reach their personal goals—preparing for the GED, obtaining a driver’s license, completing a job application, or better managing their finances and health—and provide them with the tools necessary to navigate their daily tasks. >>>

The Numbers

This year, the Adult Learning Program introduced a number of innovative initiatives to further engage our volunteer tutors and to deliver more effective literacy instruction. These include:

Adult Students Served: 504

• A new benchmark system that more efficiently tracks progress made by students and provides tutors with lesson plans and other suggested activities

Percentage of Adult Students Showing Progress: 85%

• A re-energized orientation process that provides new tutors with practical applications, hands-on experience in lesson planning, and a deeper understanding of how adults learn

Active Volunteers: 325 Volunteer Hours: 11,537

• The creation of a mobile app, available for free to all volunteer tutors and adult students, featuring a wealth of resources and a quick progress report form so tutors can safely and easily submit information directly to Literacy Mid-South • The introduction of a YouTube channel, featuring Tutor Tips, Volunteer Insights, a Meet Our Students series, and more • A series of Continuing Education workshops offered to volunteers for free, focusing on current trends and best practices www.literacymidsouth.org

Read memphis project

Norris Road Church of Christ

The Read Memphis Project is a six-month certification process facilitated by Literacy Mid-South that creates new community-based adult basic education centers throughout Shelby County.

Community partners in the Read Memphis Project expand Literacy Mid-South’s reach and impact by providing vital adult basic education services to at-risk individuals, meeting them where they are in the community and increasing the accessibility of adult basic education. The first Read Memphis Project cohort received certification and start-up resources from Literacy Mid-South in June. >>> Friends for Life

These newly certified partners include: • Friends for Life • Memphis Teen Challenge • Norris Road Church of Christ Five organizations are going through the Read Memphis Project certification process now, and will receive certification and start-up resources from Literacy Mid-South in December. This collaboration allows Literacy Mid-South to more realistically tackle the alarming illiteracy rates in Shelby County, where one in seven adults reads below a third grade level.

The Numbers

Professionals Trained: 28 Students Served through New Adult Basic Education Programs: 51 Value of Contributions to Newly Certified Partners: $56,000 www.literacymidsouth.org

Smart Memphis Coalition

Literacy Mid-South staff distributing books to SRVS.

Smart Memphis is a major Literacy Mid-South initiative that builds the capacity of nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and other community groups working to improve the learning skills of both children and adults throughout the Mid-South.

Smart Memphis also develops highly visible events to keep literacy at the forefront of our community’s priorities. Membership is free and open to anyone interested in achieving Literacy Mid-South’s vision of a 100% literate Mid-South. >>> This year, Smart Memphis conducted 15 training sessions on a wide range of topics, including:

The Numbers

• Sustainable Fundraising • Education Resources You Never Knew Existed

Literacy and Education Organizations Served: 127

• Children and the Reading Process

Professionals Trained: 359

• Increase Impact and Communicate Value

Value of Contributions to Local Nonprofits: $2.5 million

• GED Updates • Beat the TCAP • Meet the Funders: Educational Outcomes Additionally, Smart Memphis operates the WriteMemphis program, a creative writing workshop series. Participants build both oral and written communication skills through fun and challenging writing experiments.

Literacy Mid-South provides free WriteMemphis training and supplies to local nonprofits, so that they can implement the program with their clients. www.literacymidsouth.org

Reading Campaign + Seeding Success Reading Campaign Each spring, Literacy Mid-South promotes reading and learning through a citywide reading campaign. The goal of this annual event is to develop a community experience through the reading and discussion of a shared book. Mid-Southerners are invited to participate in a virtual book club through social media, using the official #readmemphis hashtag. In 2014, over 5,000 Mid-Southerners read and discussed our Books of Choice—Life is So Good, by Richard Glaubman and George Dawson, and Neversink, by local author Barry Wolverton. In addition to the social media component, Literacy Mid-South hosts a variety of events in celebration of the reading campaign, including a Reading Flash Mob and the restocking of Little Free Libraries in local neighborhoods. And, thanks to the generosity of corporate and foundation sponsors, Literacy MidSouth is able to distribute books to nonprofit organizations and schools across Shelby County.

The Numbers

Books Distributed: 17,270 Number of Books Given to Little Free Libraries: 2,500

Seeding Success – 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency According to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students that are not reading on grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. Today, less than 40% of Shelby County Schools’ students are reading proficiently by the time they reach third grade. Through Seeding Success, Literacy Mid-South is acting as the convener of the 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency Collaborative Action Network, utilizing collective impact and continuous improvement to increase the number of Shelby County students reading on grade level by third grade. This summer, Literacy Mid-South piloted a program to counteract the typical learning loss that occurs over the summer. Working with local schools and experts in the field, Literacy Mid-South was able to effectively target specific literacy skills that students were missing.

The Numbers

Partners in the Summer Reading Program: 4 Children Participating in the Summer Reading Program: 150 Value of Contributions to Partners: $18,000 www.literacymidsouth.org

Author Barry Wolverton signs copies of his book, Neversink, for kids at Springdale Elementary.

Kids at Dexter Elementary were provided 300 Disney books as part of Read Across America Month by Literacy Mid-South.

our financials Literacy Mid-South, Inc. Statements of Activities

Years Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013

Unrestricted Net Assets Support United Way Service Funding Business Organizations Government Grants Individuals Fundraising Investment Income

Year Ended June 30, 2014

Year Ended June 30, 2013

$

$

Total Unrestricted Support

87, 664 299, 397 - 0 115, 745 44, 270 181

82, 833 291, 225 22, 652 151, 235 80, 648 168

547, 257

628, 761

(137, 968)

76, 541

409, 289

705, 302

Expenses Program Services Management and General Fundraising

358, 968 76, 701 13, 963

398, 028 203, 608 19, 971

Total Expenses

449, 632

621, 607

(40, 343)

83, 695

Net Assets Released from Restrictions Total Unrestricted support and reclassifcations

Frank Chin Photos

Increase (Decrease) In Unrestricted net assets

Guests enjoy Literatini.

Literacy Mid-South accepting the Adult Volunteer of the Year Award from Volunteer Mid-South on behalf of Vicki Murrell, board member and volunteer tutor.

www.literacymidsouth.org

This is what 40,000 books look like.

The Literacy Mid-South staff helped sort and box books as part of First Book Mid-South’s HUGE delivery of more than 120,000 books to children in the Shelby County Schools.

Our donors Linda Adams Shaun Aigner-Lee Maria Alam Alicia Allen American Snuff Co. Sharon Ammons Anna Anderson Vernetta Anderson Jose Andrade Lara Andre Anime Blues Con Rachel Ankney Timothy Armor Frank J. Armstrong L.A. “Chip” Armstrong, Jr. DeVange Arnold Lee Askew Assisi Foundation Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Lauren Bangasser Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation David Barker Judith Barrie Andrew Bartolotta William Batts Carol Beachey & Donald Voth William Bearden Cyndy Benton Jessica Bernard Christy Bianchi Dr. J. Patrick Blankinship & Jonathan Hancock Elsie Bloodworth Barbara Blum BNC Competition Cooking Team Booksellers at Laurelwood Nora K. Boone Cristy Boothe Carlos Bosch Carrie Bowden Mandy Bowen Linda Branim Rene Branum Maury Bronstein Robert Brooks Teresa Brooks Lori & Reuben Brunson Sheryl Buchalski Buckman Laboratories Burke’s Book Store Dr. Robert Burns &

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Linda Nichols Sherry Burrage Bryan Capooth Roseanna Capooth Judy Card Margaret & Craig Caldwell Cargill Cotton Erik & Quinn Carlson Benjamin Carter Kelley Carter Lonzie Carter Allison Cates Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program Bridget Ciaramitaro Josh Clark Amanda Clarkson Thomas & Julia Cochran Jan Cohen Robert & Joanne Cohen Paula Coley Mark Conley Chris Cooper Phoebe Copeland Preston Cox Teri Cox William Crawford Sheila Criswell Fayre Crossley Cruthirds Coaching Anthony Culiver Jessica Cunningham Rachel Cunningham Ashley Dacus Teresa Dalle David C. Dando Valerie Darling Marilu Davis Davita Dialysis Amy Dean Bill & Terri Dean Kevin Dean Caitlin Dempsey Kin Dempsey Emily Denis John Denton Karuna Dewan H. T. Dewey Lynn Diebold Shannon Dixon Marsalett Dockery Michael Dockery Trentiss Dodson Dollar General Literacy Foundation John P. Douglas

Eugene Douglass James Drummond Duncan-Williams, Inc. Allen Dupont Joanne C. Dufrey Stacy Early Thomas Elmore Brian Elrod Justin & Stacey Erickson Alice Everly Ben Fant Tamara Farmer Steven Farrell Diana Fedinec

Goodlett Foundation Victoria Gore Suzanne Gronemeyer Hannah Guess Susan & Bill Guess Donna & John Guthrie Carl Haag Ken Hall Jennifer Hamilton Irene Hansen Chris Harder Ashby Hardesty Whitney Harmon Lee Harness

Joseph & Annelle Huggins Marilyn Hughes International Paper Foundation Shirley M. Jack Robert Jackson Kari E. Jarrell Caroline Johnson Mark Jones Robert & Jane Jones Ruby Jones Kim Josh JWB Properties LLC Vicky Kaaz

Over 300 Memphians joined Literacy Mid-South for its inaugural Reading Flash Mob at Overton Park to celebrate Read Across America Month.

First Tennessee Foundation Walter Fisher Jeanette Flesicher Michael Fletcher Daniel J. Flick Jacqueline Flournory Jolecia Flournory Trina Ford Hugh Francis Ricky & Renee’ Frazier Charmaine Freeman Harry M. Freeman Rod Gary Kathleen Gavenman William Gavin Stephanie Glanzer Edward Gonda www.literacymidsouth.org

Judi A. Harrick Shelby Hartman Patrick Hayes Carolyn S. Head Kim Hennessy Jeanne Hermann-Petrin DAR Hermitage Chapter Dean Hestermann Hilton Worldwide Virginia Hinostroza Andrew Hinson Justin Hipner Carol & Buddy Hodge Beverly Holmgren Charlene Honeycutt Alicia Howard Allison Howard Janette Howard

R.A. & D.M. Kaiser Saul & M. Bene Kaplan Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity Kirsten Kennedy Angeline Kern Corey & Kristen Kines Petya Kirilova-Grady Curt Kittrell Danny Knight Kroger Lisa Krull Lady Bugg Bakery Mark & Janis Lange Dan & Bonnie Lattimore Law Offices of Stephen R. Leffler, P.C. Jacob Lee

Our donors Jonathan Lee Rene & Roland Lee Steven Lee Bradley & Courtney Leon Jenna Lewis Lichterman Loewenberg Foundation Michael Link Jeana Littrell John Lochemes Blair Loder Nell & Frank Lott Margaret & Milton Lovell Caroline MacQueen

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Abby Miller Joshua Miller Donna J. Miner MLGW MLSA Legal Professionals of Memphis Michael Moon Katherine Mooney Moonlighters Kathy Morris John Morrison Michael Morse R.J. Moskop Roland & Jennifer Moyers

Jeanette Peeples Debra Perry Evelyn Perry Felix Pesce Sarah Petschonek Pfizer Foundation Anthony Pietrangelo Plough Foundation Anna Christine Powless Ellen & Tom Prewitt Cheryl Pride Nancy D. Prillaman David Pritchard Susan & Robert Quinn

Gail Murray & Joe Hawes Melanie Murray Dan & Vicki Murrell Susan Murrell Sally Navarra William Neal Ryan & Maria Nelson Neshoba Unitarian Univeralist Church Calanthe Nguyen David & Teresa Nickel Drs. Richard & Liliana Nordtvedt Frederick & Judith Palmer Michele Passeretti Brian Payne Paul & Martha Payne Carla Peacher-Ryan

Dabney Raburn Darcy Raches Lynda Raiford Emilie G. Ratner William Rauch Franklin W. Ray, Jr. Diane Reddoch Tracy Reed Mary Restivo Jeff Rhodin Tom & Laurie Rieman Matthew Roberts & Elisa Blatteis Erica Roberts Keva Robinson Kimberly Rossie Jenness Roth Cynthia Russell

Frank Chin Photos

The crowd gathers at Literatini.

Sandra Majkrzak Kathleen Manning Donna Martin Marx-Bensdorf Realtors Jennifer Massey Joseph McClusky Kimberly McCollum Matthew & Abbey McCort Brit McDaniel Eugene McDermott Shawn McGhee Brian McKinnon David McCowen Memphis Book Club Joe Mendoza Katrina Meyer Jennifer Michael MidSouthCon

www.literacymidsouth.org

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Sallis Tamika Sanford Courtney Miller Santo Mollie & Glenn Saxon Neddo S. Scallion III Brin Schaechtel Robert Scheilbelhut Jerry W. Schreurs Shannon Schuhlein Kyle Scott Jennifer Seidman Sew Memphis LLC Shady Grove Presbyterian Church Phil & Fran Shannon Janann Sherman Jay Shires Barry Shullkin Manjaap Sidhu Silicon Valley Community Foundation Jennifer Sink Smith Wicks, LLC Smith & Nephew, Inc. Karen Smith Kelly Smith Somerset Apartment Management, LLC Anna Bess Sorin Norman Soskel South of Beale Taryn Spake John Sparacio David Shannon Sparks Dorian Spears Bettie Spivey-Houston St. John M.B. Church Adam Stark State Systems, Inc. State Farm Insurance – Kathy ThurmondEdwards Mary Stearnes Craig Stewart Leslie Stewart Eugene Stockstill Amanda Stockton Philipp A. Stoeberl Carrie Suchman Debra Sullivan Teri Sullivan-Elmore Phyllis Tamm Asan Tejwani Tennessee Brewery Untapped Sayra Thacker

The Merck Foundation Sheorn Thomas Trey Thomas Wendi Thomas Kathy Thurmond-Edwards Deborah Dunklin Tipton Nathan Tipton Katherine Torode Freddie Towler Mfon Umoh United Daughters of the Confederacy United Way of Tampa Bay United Way of the Mid-South University of Memphis University of Mississippi Mark Upchurch Pam & Bob VanDoren Cary Vaughn Laura & Steven Veeshart Bev Vitali Darrell Wade Donna Waggener Claudia Moore Walker Virginia Walker Kimberly Watson Joey Weaver Christine Weinreich Mr. & Mrs. Alex Wellford, Jr. Barry White Katherine Whitfield Jeanne L. Williams John Williams Thomas M. Williams Dana L. Wilson Gary Wilson Katie Wise WMC-TV Wolfchase Honda Wolfchase Nissan Barry Wolverton Joe Woodard Debbie Wooddell Emily R. Woodside Dorothy D. Work John Wright Kent Wunderlich Mary Lou Yandell Yelp Memphis Todd A. Zoblotsky

Our donors

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in Honor:

Students at Westside Achievement Middle School received their own brand new copies of Neversink by Barry Wolverton, thanks to Literacy Mid-South.

In-Kind Donors Arcade Restaurant Automatic Slim’s Backbeat Tours Blind Bear Speakeasy Brown Dog Lodge Café Ole Chef Kelly English Restaurants Ciao Bella Italian Grill Dixon Gallery & Gardens Elfo’s Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House Germantown Performing Arts Center Graceland Huey’s Just for Lunch Kooky Canuck Malco Theatres Memphis Botanic Garden

Memphis Redbirds Memphis Zoo Midtown Massage Mississippi Riverkings Oak Hall Outerwall Pat-A-Cake’s Bake Shop Pink Palace Family of Museums Playhouse on the Square Sun Studio The Children’s Museum of Memphis The Orpheum Theatre Theatre Memphis Underground Art University of Memphis Sports Marketing Whole Foods Market YOLO Frozen Yogurt

Molly Crosby United Daughters of the Confederacy Linda Davis Donna Waggener Kevin Dean Mr. John Denton Wendi Thomas Lolly Easley Ms. Gail Murray & Joe Hawes Jeanette Flesicher Dan & Vicki Murrell Pat Gary Rod Gary Whitney Harmon Duncan-Williams, Inc. MLSA Legal Professionals of Memphis Sallie D. Johnson Curt Kittrell Jill Lahti Suzanne Gronemeyer Tom Laury Ashley Dacus Shelia Lipsey Shelia Criswell John Lochemes Barry White Mrs. Anne W. Miller Mr. & Mrs. Kent Wunderlich Dan & Vicki Murrell William Bearden Saul & M. Bene Kaplan Kimberly McCollum Mr. & Mrs. Charles Sallis

Vicki Murrell Mr. & Mrs. Charles Sallis Sophie Nweeia Irene Hansen Rae-Anne & Matt Pitts Ashley Dacus Michael, William, & Lauren Reddoch Diane Reddoch Maggie Robertson Ashley Dacus Seth Rudy Ashley Dacus Claire Ryan Emilie G. Ratner Gladys Strickland Ashley Dacus Kim & Terrance Strokrich Ashley Dacus Janice VanDyke Marilu Davis Dora Wagner Mr. Thomas Elmore III Jason & Debbie Wallace Ashley Dacus Rachel Wilhite Ashley Dacus Emerson & Griffin Yandell Mary Lou Yandell

Peabody Elementary students enjoy their brand new Neversink books provided by Literacy Mid-South!

www.literacymidsouth.org

Our donors

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In Memory:

Mrs. Inez Abrahms Robert & Joanne Cohen Virginia Anderson Ms. Alicia Allen Sister Nardine Aquadro Ms. Fayre Crossley Mrs. Ursula Borenstein Anonymous Eddie Cantler Dan & Vicki Murrell Daniel Copeland Mrs. Phoebe Copeland Mrs. Barbara Dillon Lynda Raiford Percy Galbreath Dan & Vicki Murrell Mr. Edward Gardner Margaret & Craig Cardwell Murray & Renee Geyer Phil & Fran Shannon Bill & Helen Guess Sandra Majkrzak Cynthia Hartley Sandra Majkrzak Cynthia Hoffman Sandra Majkrzak Bo Holloman Dan & Vicki Murrell Mary Pelham Finley Hunt Jan Cohen Dr. & Mrs. Hugh Francis III

Holiday Tributes:

Donna & John Guthrie Caroline Johnson Mr. & Mrs. John Morrison Carla Preacher-Ryan Wolfchase Honda Wolfchase Nissan Mrs. Nina Katz Ms. Laurel Boone Dr. Judi A. Harrick Ms. Marian Nunn Dr. Philipp A. Stoeberl Toledo Lundy Kennick Ms. Rene Branum Angelo Lucchesi Felix Pesce Barbara Massey Dan & Vicki Murrell Martha Ellen Maxwell Dan & Vicki Murrell Dale McDermott Eugene McDermott Daudet Schreurs Mr. Jerry W. Schreurs Meg Turner Memphis Book Club Mrs. Claudine Walker Mr. Rex Gray Mr. Jerry Stallings Ms. Claudia Walker Moore

Jane Blankinship Joseph Blankinship Jennie Bledsoe Ashley Dacus Drs. Thanom & Tippi Boone Nora K. Boone Ashley Burkes & John Zelasko Ashley Dacus Ben & LaVerne Burton Bev Vitali Brooks & Susan Burton Bev Vitali Bruce & Patti Burton Bev Vitali Scarlett, Chris, & Stella Cook Ashley Dacus Judy & Gene Douglass Nora K. Boone Maria & Mike Douglass Nora K. Boone Elizabeth Drummond James Drummond Greer Drummond James Drummond The Fehses Nora K. Boone Mr. & Mrs. Jere Fones Pam & Bob VanDoren Dr. Sylverna Ford & Mr. Lou Paris Joseph & Annelle Huggins Mr. & Mrs. Mackie Gober Pam & Bob VanDoren Anne S. Grinder Mr. & Mrs. Alex Wellford, Jr. Edward A. Grinder Mr. & Mrs. Alex Wellford, Jr. Susan & Rowland Hancock Joseph Blankinship

www.literacymidsouth.org

Chantal Hassard & Mike Parker Ashley Dacus Bear & Tripp Horne Ashley Dacus Evy & Elliott Huang Nora K. Boone Mr. & Mrs. George Johnson Pam & Bob VanDoren Allison Jones James Drummond David Jones Ashley Dacus Mr. & Mrs. Scott Ledbetter Mr. & Mrs. Alex Wellford, Jr. Jacob & Lauren Lee Rene Lee Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mayhall Kim Josh Mr. & Mrs. Jim Moore Pam & Bob VanDoren Richard & Sarah Moore David & Teresa Nickel Mr. & Mrs. Edward B. Morrow Joseph & Annelle Huggins Stacey Morse Michael Morse Andy & Nora Papanicolaou Ashley Dacus Mrs. Judy Parker Pam & Bob VanDoren Martha Payne Rene Lee Mario Perkins James Drummond Lizzy Perry Evelyn Perry Trish & John Pontius Nora K. Boone

Cynthia & Malcolm Pratt Rene Lee Sloan & Julia Rehder David & Teresa Nickel Mary Ellen Restivo Rene Lee The Scotts Mr. & Mrs. Alex Wellford, Jr. Sara Jo Smith Joseph Blankinship Ron & Annie Stout Bev Vitali Kim & David Strickland Ashley Dacus Dr. & Mrs. Owen B. Tabor Mr. & Mrs. Alex Wellford, Jr. Kathy & Mike Trawick Ashley Dacus Marjorie & Joe Vincent Joseph Blankinship Joe Vitali Bev Vitali Ross & Anna Vitali Bev Vitali Mimi Wade Rene Lee Angela Walker James Drummond Debbie & Jason Wallace Ashley Dacus Kristina & Jerad Walter Ashley Dacus Nancy & Marcus Watson Ashley Dacus Dr. & Mrs. Larry Whitlock Pam & Bob VanDoren Mr. & Mrs. Preston Wilson Pam & Bob VanDoren Mitzie Wright Ashley Dacus

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The clients at SRVS enjoy hundreds of new books!

The official festival program

Authors Michael Lowenthal and Scott Heim

The Booksellers at Laurelwood sold all of the author’s books!

Mid-South Book Festival 2015

The 2015 Mid-South Book Festival will be held September 9-13 at Playhouse on the Square and Circuit Playhouse. Go to MidSouthBookFest.org for more information.

ShoWagon performers

Author Bianca Phillips speaks at Foodie Sunday

The official book festival t-shirt

www.literacymidsouth.org

Word Girl greets a fan

The Chalk Walk, live music, food trucks, and more